EEE virus found in mosquitoes in Kingston, ground spraying early Friday

Three species of mosquito have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Kingston. To protect the public, the Kingston Board of Health and Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project have scheduled town-wide ground spraying from 2 to 5 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5.

KINGSTON – Three species of mosquito have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Kingston.

Culiseta melanura, Uranotaenia sapphirina and Coquillettidia pertubans are three species of mosquito that tested positive Monday (Sept. 1) for EEE.

To protect the public, the Kingston Board of Health and Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project have scheduled town-wide ground spraying from 2 to 5 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5.

All municipal recreational complexes will continue to be ground sprayed on a weekly basis, and this will continue for another two weeks.

According to a press release from Board of Health, the state Department of Public Health (DPH) announced Thursday that EEE has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Kingston and surrounding communities.

Health officials have raised the EEE threat level to “moderate” in Kingston.

EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 and people 50 and older are at greatest risk for the serious illness.

The Board of Health advises a few common sense precautions people can take to protect themselves and loved ones.

People are advised to avoid mosquito bites, be aware of peak mosquito hours from dusk to dawn, consider rescheduling outdoor activities during evening or early morning, and take care to use repellent and protective clothing. Clothing can reduce mosquito bites.

People are also advised to mosquito-proof their homes by draining standing water because mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, and by installing or repairing screens.

For information about EEE and reports of current or historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts, go to the DPH website at www.mass.gov/dph/wnv.